Abstract
In the area of Maraş-Elbistan the first governor of the Seljukians was Emir Buldacı Gazi. That is because in the years 1085-1086 Emir Buldacı Gazi captured from Armenian Phileretos the area Efsus (Afşin), Göksun and Elbistan, known as Upper Ceyhan. Conquring the area Maraş, Elbistan and Göksun, in 1097 Emir Buldacı during the I. Crusades travelled to İznik to help its resquing from the Crusaders with Sultan I. Kılıç Arslan and probably he became a martyr here. He continued ruling as a governor of the area Maraş-Elbistan for about 11-12 years. During the I. Crusades Elbistan, Göksun and Maraş environs was captured by the Crusaders. However I. Kılıç Arslan managed to seize Maraş environs back in 1103.
The Crusaders, coming to Anatolia in 1097 during the I. Crusades to capture Jerusalem, came to Konya and with the support of Byzantinian-Armenian sarrived to Ereğli. One of the branches of the Crusaders who were divided in to two groups after arriving Ereğli, prefered to go for ward to Antakya a long Kilikya, the corridors on Toros mountains. The other branch of the Crusaders went for ward to Antakya along the Kayseri-Sarız-Göksun-Maraş way. The shortest way for the Crusaders to arrive Jerusalem was passing a long the Cilician Gates. However because of here being very abrupt, the hot weather in autumnand Çukurova’s being ruled by Turks, the Crusader sprefered the way of Kayseri- Göksun-Maraş. Additionally Kayseri-Maraş way was not as steep except for Göksun-Maraş part of it. On this road there was not many Turkish soldiers to derange them. This was was a significant way to connect İstanbul-Antakya. There were Armenian leaders working for Byzantine and a few local Cristian members as well on this road. The Crusaders used this way hoping for a food supply and a guidance.
In September 1097, the Crusaders arrived Kayseri. Going for ward to South, to Maraş, the Crusaders headed for ward to the city Komana (Placentina) which was being sieged by Danişmend Turkmen sand where the Armenians live. Concuring Komana, the Crusaders went for ward to Göksun after the town today know as Yeşilkent (Yalak). In the Crusaders’ documents named after as Cocsonor Cosor, in Göksun Armenians friendly guested the Crusaders. The Crusaders stayed in Göksun for three days, Armenians were very friendly to them, they had the opportunity to buy pretty much food supply here for the travel which is more tough over the mountains after passing here. The Crusaders haverested here during the irstay in Göksun and they treated their patients. The area between Göksun and Maraş is a hard direction to pass because of step mountains. This was was the most difficult passae way the Crusaders met. They named here as “Devil Mountains”. In this article the difficulties Crusaders met in this geography, how difficult was it fort hem to arrive Maraş, Turks attacking the Crusaders, their opposition, the Crusader’s having difficulties in the mountains between Göksun-Andırın area is goingto be presented.
